Emma Lopez Luera

On September 24, 2022, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Emma Lopez Luera passed away peacefully into the heavenly embrace of our Lord, and with Benny, her loving husband of 66 years. She was 91 years old. Our dear mother courageously met the daily challenges of Alzheimer's Disease for over twelve years. Her journey of "the long goodbye" was a life that placed family and faith above all else, even as she suffered the ravages of Alzheimer's. But, through it all, she always had a beautiful smile for everyone, and continued to be the consummate hostess. Our family will always cherish how she made our family holidays special - so beautiful and filled with warmth and love. Beautiful Christmas decorations and specially-made Easter baskets for her grandchildren were a hallmark of her special touch that shined bright. Her generous heart touched so many lives throughout the years as a homemaker, in her many years of church volunteer and community service projects.

She was born on May 10, 1931 - Mother's Day - and from the very beginning, she exhibited a desire to serve God in her youth and into her senior years. She was a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church "Hijas De Maria" in her teenage years, and later in the early 1950s earned her license as West University Place's first Mexican-American hairstylist. Indeed, she was a pioneer, as she garnered a reputation for style and elegance. When she married our father Benny in 1956 and started her family, she decided to become a homemaker to raise her four sons. She always said it was the best decision she ever made. In later years, she devoted her efforts to volunteering at Nuestra Senora de San Juan de los Lagos, where she and my father served side-by-side with their many friends for over 35 years. Her cousin Luis Garcia invited them to visit one Sunday, and they knew that they had found their new church home. Mom served in the Altar Society, Knights of Columbus Council 8734 Women's Auxiliary, Coordinator for Religious Articles sales, Eucharistic Minister, and Visiting the Sick in our parish. Indeed, our mother was devoted to her husband, family and strong Catholic faith - a combination that inspired a life well lived.

Emma was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years Benny; her father Nemecio Lopez; mother Florencia Lopez; brother Nemecio George Lopez; maternal uncle Jose Garcia; and maternal aunt Paulita Garcia; cousin Guadalupe Garcia De La O; God-sons Juan Daniel Lopez and Manuel Aguilar, Jr.; Nephew Raul Lopez.

Survived by children: Benny, Jr.; Jorge Ricardo and daughter-in-law Dalia; Michael Anthony; Juan Gilberto and daughter-in-law Patricia. Grandchildren: Tamara Michelle, Nicole Elizabeth, Caroline Marie, Juan Gilberto, Jr., Ana Alicia, Adrian Johnathan and wife Bianca, Joshua Angel, Matthew Anthony, John Michael; Great-grandchildren: Mateo Elijah, Geovanni Cole, Rey Orion, Sophia Ana, and Adelina Emma; Sister-In-Law Guadalupe Lopez. Also, Mom is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends whom she loved very much.